Abstract: A water-dispensing appliance is provided, in particular for dispensing drinking water, comprising a water inlet which can be connected to a water-supply device, also comprising a dispensing device with a water outlet, via which water can be dispensed from the appliance, the dispensing device being connected to the water inlet via a main line which has a downstream portion and an upstream portion, and also comprising a water heater. The water-dispensing appliance has a return line, of which the start is line-connected to the downstream portion of the main line and the end is connected to the upstream portion of the main line, and the appliance also has a delivery unit in order for water heated up by means of the water heater to be delivered through the main line from the upstream portion to the downstream portion.

Abstract: The control systems and technique can regulate or control operations of a water treatment system in a primary control mode and, when appropriate, in a secondary or an alternate control mode. The primary control can represent a normal control mode during which the water treatment system is intended to operate. The alternate control mode can represent a second control or mode of operation. The systems can be operated to control or facilitate regulation, monitoring, and performance of one or more operating parameters of one or more water systems between, or to and from, a first mode, a second or alternate mode, and, in some cases, a third or even a fourth control mode. The change in control mode can be triggered by identifying one or more predetermined, pre-selected, and/or programmed conditions.

Abstract: A system for separating hydrocarbons from water, the system including an inlet for receiving a fluid, the fluid including a water phase and a hydrocarbon phase, and a separation tank having a first partition and a second partition, wherein the first partition is configured to receive the fluid from the inlet. Furthermore, the system includes a first outlet configured to receive the water phase from the first partition, a second outlet configured to receive the hydrocarbon phase from the second partition, and a support structure configured to receive the water phase from the first outlet and the hydrocarbon phase from the second outlet. Also, a method of separating a fluid into a water phase and a hydrocarbon phase, the method including injecting the fluid containing the water phase and the hydrocarbon phase into a separation tank.

Abstract: A flow through aqueous liquid sterilization apparatus which employs substantially fixed temperatures and pressures and variable flow rates through the apparatus for controllably processing aqueous liquids to achieve predetermined values of SALs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that enable the control of a screening operation based on a calculated screen blockage percentage and the velocity throughput of the screen. The apparatus includes an upstream level detector, a downstream level detector and a flow determining device which determines the volumetric flow through the screen. The apparatus may further include a blockage determination unit which determines the percent screen blockage based on the flow level upstream of the screen, the flow level downstream of the screen and the volumetric flow.

Abstract: The invention is a handheld device for puncturing oil filters and thus allowing more retained oil to drain from used filters. An oil filter has several internal chambers filled with oil which do not drain by gravity from the filter unless the sidewall of the filter is punches. The device of the invention punches the sidewall of the filters, and provides a rack for draining the oil filters.

Abstract: A mobile dehydration system that is operable to remove water from a supply of fluid, such as hydraulic fluid. The mobile dehydration system includes a fluid pump that draws the supply of hydraulic fluid from a storage tank. The flow of hydraulic fluid passes through a fluid heater that elevates the temperature of the hydraulic fluid. The fluid heater includes at least one flow restricting orifice that reduces the pressure of the flow of hydraulic fluid, thereby elevating the temperature of the hydraulic fluid. The outlet of the fluid heater is connected to a dehydrator that removes water from the flow of hydraulic fluid. A fluid feedback line is connected between the outlet of the fluid heater and the inlet of the fluid pump to return a portion of the hydraulic fluid flow when the flow rate through the dehydrator is less than the flow rate from the fluid pump.

Abstract: A separator for separating F.O.G. from an effluent that contains F.O.G. includes a tank, an inlet to the tank for receiving effluent that contains F.O.G., and an outlet to allow grey water to leave the tank. The tank has a size to enable stratification of a layer of F.O.G. present in the tank on water in the tank, and first and second thermocouples are positioned at differing levels in the tank. Conductors couple the thermocouples to sensors, and differing voltages in the thermocouples can be sensed to determine if the thermocouples are surrounded by F.O.G. or water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning and shutting down a part-time wastewater treatment system is disclosed. The wastewater treatment system has a water input to receive an influent flow of wastewater to be treated, a water output to discharge treated clean water effluent, and a water treatment capacity volume. An effluent external tank receives the clean water effluent and has a size greater than or equal to the capacity volume. Influent flow of wastewater is terminated. Clean water effluent is pumped through a fluid pathway from the effluent external tank to the water input. A sufficient volume of clean water effluent is passed through the wastewater treatment system to complete treatment of the wastewater within the wastewater treatment system, purge wastewater from the wastewater treatment system, and fill the wastewater treatment system with clean water effluent. The wastewater treatment system is thus prepared to be shut down.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting soluble component-removed powder that collects soluble component-removed and poorly soluble component-containing powder to recycle by removing the soluble component from the powder through filtering using a vacuum pump after mixing soluble component-removed and poorly soluble component-containing powder and a solvent dissolving the soluble component, and a method of the same.

Abstract: A mechanism in a horizontal belt filter controls the position of the drainage belt to ensure its alignment with the vacuum pan. A section of belt rollers supporting the drainage belt is mounted on a movable structure capable of shifting the rollers laterally to the degree necessary to compensate for misalignments between the drain holes and the vacuum pan. The control operation is implemented with a detector capable of sensing the position of the drain holes in the belt with respect to the vacuum pan. A signal is sent to an actuator that causes the belt rollers to move laterally in the direction required to maintain alignment of the drain holes with the vacuum pan. A dual-drive system is preferably utilized to provide a more uniform force distribution along the drive pulley and to increase torque, thereby also advantageously increasing the capacity of the filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that enable the control of a screening operation based on a calculated screen blockage percentage and the velocity throughput of the screen. The apparatus includes an upstream level detector, a downstream level detector and a flow determining device which determines the volumetric flow through the screen. The apparatus may further include a blockage determination unit which determines the percent screen blockage based on the flow level upstream of the screen, the flow level downstream of the screen and the volumetric flow.

Abstract: An amalgam separator for purifying a waste stream that contains a mixture of air and waste liquid. The amalgam separator contains filter media that comprises a sulfur-impregnated carrier and an ion exchange resin, wherein the ion exchange resin is present at a concentration of from about 25 to about 75 weight percent. During its operation, the amalgam separator separates the waste stream into air and waste liquid portions, purifies the waste liquid portion, and then combines the purified waste liquid portion with the air.

Abstract: A system and method for control of a gas and/or chemical for treatment of a fluid, and for monitoring the operation of such a system. In one embodiment, the system comprises a reactor for receipt of the fluid and the gas and/or chemical for dissolving, mixing, diffusing, or infusing the gas and/or chemical into the fluid, and a controller to control the flow of the fluid and the gas and/or chemical into the reactor, and to monitor the operation of the system in accordance with predetermined operating conditions. In another embodiment, the system also comprises a gas/chemical generation system for generation of the gas and/or chemical to be introduced into the reactor. The present invention permits for the control of the system based on numerous dynamic conditions to optimize operation and to minimize safety hazards.

Abstract: A liquid extraction unit for extracting liquid from an aqueous material is described. The unit includes a filter that is configured to allow passage of the liquid and prevent passage of the aqueous material. The unit also includes a first vacuum that is configured to extract air from the extraction unit. The unit further includes a second vacuum that is configured to pull the liquid through the filter. The first vacuum and the second vacuum are located after the filter.

Abstract: A system, a device and a method for maintaining water quality in a pool or similar water container for use by people which is characterized in that a pressure sensor is arranged to sense the pressure variations inside a main water container 1 and to provide a pressure variation signal to a control and processing unit 3. The control and processing unit is connected with a dispensing module and is adapted to generate and transfer control signals to said dispensing modules. The control signal depends on the detected pressure variation signal. The system for water treatment comprises also a water treatment circulation loop 3A-D at least one controllable chemical dispensing module 8A-D, 9A-D. The circulation loop is adapted to pump water from the main water container 1, around the circulation loop 3A-D, and back into the main water container 1 via the dispensing module for dispensing a chemical treatment agent.

Abstract: Circulating completion, workover and drilling fluids used in hydrocarbon recovery are filtered after monitoring for viscosity, which frequently causes plugging of filters. A viscometer generates a signal representative of viscosity in the fluid; the signal is used by a programmable controller to divert viscous fluid from the filter, or to take other action to prevent damage to the filter. The viscometer can be used in various positions in the system. Fluids deemed too viscous for the filter can be sent to a viscosity-reducing device, which may be a heating, shear-thinning, or cavitation device, to reduce its viscosity, enabling the fluid to pass through a filter without fouling. After filtering and a return to a lower temperature, the fluid may be treated if necessary to become viscous again for a useful purpose.

Abstract: A process for the reduction of N-nitrodimethylamine (NDMA) and for control of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) formation in fully nitrified wastewater effluent, comprising first adding chlorine to the effluent, then adding combined chlorine.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a septic tank containing a liquid and sludge or scum mixture needs to be emptied, comprising locating a sensor in the mixture wherein the sensor is adapted to measure a parameter which can be used to determining the depth of sludge or scum in the septic tank and generating a warning signal when a signal from the sensor is indicative of a depth of sludge or scum exceeding a predetermined limit.

Abstract: Apparatus for managing layers of different density includes an enclosed tank for holding the liquids so that they stratify into separate layers of different levels in the tank. A conduit for liquid in the tank is open at an inner end to the tank interior, and is open at an outer end to the tank exterior. A drive moves the inner end of the conduit to different levels within tank so liquid can be transferred into or out of different levels in the tank.